Updated 21 June 2018
We carried out this announced inspection on 31 May 2018 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. We planned the inspection to check whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations. The inspection was led by a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.
We told the NHS England area team that we were inspecting the practice. They provided information which we took into account.
To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:
• Is it safe?
• Is it effective?
• Is it caring?
• Is it responsive to people’s needs?
• Is it well-led?
These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.
Our findings were:
Are services safe?
We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services effective?
We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services caring?
We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services responsive?
We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Are services well-led?
We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Background
Northumberland Heath Dental Practice is in Erith in the London borough of Bexley. The practice provides NHS and private treatment to patients of all ages.
There is level access via an entrance at the rear of the practice for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Car parking spaces are available in the immediate vicinity of the practice.
The dental team includes ten dentists (one of whom is a specialist prosthodontist), a practice manager, four qualified dental nurses, a trainee dental nurse, two dental hygienists, two receptionists and an administrator.
The practice has four treatment rooms.
The practice is owned by a partnership and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the Care Quality Commission as the registered manager. Registered managers have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the practice is run. The registered manager at Northumberland Health Dental Practice was one of the principal dentists.
On the day of inspection, we obtained feedback from 36 patients.
During the inspection we spoke with the practice manager, the principal dentists, two dental nurses, the trainee dental nurse and a receptionist. We checked practice policies and procedures and other records about how the service is managed.
The practice is open from 8.30am to 1pm, and from 2pm to 6pm Monday to Friday. They are open from 9am to 2pm on Saturdays.
Our key findings were:
- The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
- The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
- Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
- The practice had systems to help them manage risk.
- The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
- The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
- Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
- The practice was providing preventive care and supporting patients to ensure better oral health.
- The appointment system met patients’ needs.
- The practice had effective leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
- The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
- The practice dealt with complaints positively and efficiently.
- The practice had suitable information governance arrangements.